More Articles | WI LGBTQ History Project

News Articles:

February 02, 2026

Share your story with the Queer Wisconsin Storybook Project

The Queer Wisconsin Storybook Project seeks LGBTQ storytellers from each of the state's 72 counties to raise their voices.

February 02, 2026

Welcome Nyx, our spring semester intern

As an all-volunteer organization since 1994, we're proud to partner with the University of Wisconsin to create hands-on learning experiences for the next generation.

January 18, 2026

Wisconsin Drag Awards named us "Community Partner of the Year"

After a historic first year as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, we are proud to be recognized in the 2025 Wisconsin Drag Awards.

January 16, 2026

"I Am My Own Wife' debuts Friday, January 23

Throughout a lifetime of repression, Charlotte preserved what others tried to erase: history, culture, art, freedom, and even herself.

January 01, 2026

We've joined Community Shares of Wisconsin

Through this new partnership, we earn a tremendous circle of support, while advancing our statewide commitments to social responsibility.

December 29, 2025

Welcome Laila, our spring semester intern!

As an all-volunteer organization since 1994, we're proud to partner with the University of Wisconsin to create hands-on learning experiences for the next generation.

December 22, 2025

"Beacons of the Bay" documentary debuts January 31

Multimedia project will honor the lifetime contributions of eight LGBTQ elders

November 28, 2025

Be seen at the Banji Ball December 9

The Banji Ball is an electrifying celebration of Black and Brown culture, arts, and fashion in recognition of World AIDS Day.

November 11, 2025

Welcome Dan Terrio to our Board of Directors

Dan Terrio will oversee fundraising, partnerships, and donor engagement for the History Project.

November 08, 2025

TDOR Week of Action demands action, change, and justice for transgender lives

We're proud to support TRANCE Consulting and the Paris Tikka Mahon Memorial Transition Fund for a historic series of transformative events.

November 03, 2025

Honoring an unforgettable chapter of Wisconsin history

We're partnering with Vivent Health to celebrate stories of our lost generation on World AIDS Day.

November 01, 2025

We're proud to be named Wisconsin Nonprofit Organization of the Year!

Join us Thursday, Nov. 13 at the Milwaukee Public Museum for the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

October 27, 2025

Celebrating the unbreakable spirit of the American Teenager

Award-winning journalist Nico Lang brings their "American Teenager" book tour to Wisconsin for six November stops, sharing powerful, on-the-ground stories of trans youth resilience, joy, and survival.

October 13, 2025

Thank you for bringing the rainbows home!

We'd like to recognize everyone who made the Walker's Point Rainbow Crosswalks possible.

October 06, 2025

Meet our new Archives Committee

Community of statewide experts will guide the future of our acquisitions, collections, and exhibits

October 01, 2025

"Beacons of the Bay" honors our living LGBTQ elders

Northeastern Wisconsin exhibit celebrates the connective power of history and heritage

October 01, 2025

Explore over 550 historic LGBTQ sites -- from anywhere!

Our new PLACES site chronicles queer spaces throughout Wisconsin history.

September 22, 2025

2nd Annual BLAQtoberfest returns October 3

BlaQtoberfest is a three-day, multi-venue celebration that centers culture, wellness, and health equity for Black and Brown queer communities in Milwaukee.

September 22, 2025

BE SEEN Monday, October 6 in Walker's Point!

We're bringing rainbow crosswalks to 2nd and National -- and you're invited to a happy hour community celebration!

September 15, 2025

Wisconsin readers get a taste of "Dining Out"

Author Erik Piepenburg brings his book tour to Green Bay and Madison this October -- and you're invited!

August 01, 2025

New York City exhibit celebrates the courage of Les Petites Bon Bons

We're proud to honor the legacy of Les Petites Bon Bons at the 2025 Printed Matter Art Book Fair September 11-14.

August 01, 2025

Start seeing rainbows!

The City of Milwaukee has approved our rainbow crosswalks proposal in Walker's Point.

July 11, 2025

We're proud to support Circa: Queer Histories Festival

Circa, presented by ONE Institute, is the first and only queer histories festival in the USA.

July 08, 2025

Honoring Jewel-Thais Williams (1939-2025)

Today, we celebrate the Mother of Gay Los Angeles for a lifetime of service.

July 07, 2025

Join us at the PastForward Conference Sept. 16-18!

We're proud to celebrate 75 years of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

June 30, 2025

Pride Month may be over, but now the real work begins

We're launching three summer initiatives to amplify LGBTQ voice and visibility.

June 26, 2025

Milwaukee County honors the History Project for 30+ years of service

On Thursday, June 26, we were among eight 2025 honorees recognized by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors.

June 02, 2025

Celebrating our 2025 BeSeen Award winners

Six Wisconsin trailblazers honored for 200+ years of community service

May 19, 2025

"Living, Not Just Surviving" honors Cass Marie Domino

Art exhibition runs June 2 - September 12 at the Wisconsin Union

May 13, 2025

State Representative Amaad Rivera-Wagner Joins Our Board

Wisconsin leader will guide nonprofit's next chapter of community service

May 12, 2025

Join us on the road trip of the year

The Summer to Be Seen Tour kicks off on Friday, June 6 in Green Bay.

May 12, 2025

Summer to Be Seen Tour amplifies LGBTQ voices

Project tour celebrates hometown pride and statewide heritage

April 28, 2025

History Project shatters winter fundraising goals

Statewide call to action generates $10,000 for local LGBTQ history

April 01, 2025

Milwaukee celebrates living legend Sharon Dixon

"Old Timers" cabaret show raises $2,600 to support a community elder's next chapter in life

April 01, 2025

What can you do to support inclusive education in Wisconsin?

Join Origins Workshop with Fair Wisconsin and the History Project on Saturday, May 17

March 19, 2025

Celebrating the story of the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center

Storytelling collaboration will showcase the Center's heart, history, and heritage.

March 09, 2025

Saying goodbye to This Is It

Wisconsin's oldest gay bar -- and one of the ten oldest in the USA -- closed March 9 after six decades of service.

March 08, 2025

We're making history at Dancing With Our Stars

Dan Terrio joined this year's competition to raise critical funding for local LGBTQ history and heritage.

March 01, 2025

The Legends of Drag are coming to Titletown

Join us Friday, March 28 for a night of rare archival footage, live performances, guest speakers, and more!

March 01, 2025

Pride organizers: complete our Wisconsin Proud Survey

We've set a goal to document, preserve, elevate and celebrate your stories of community activation throughout summer 2025.

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Blog Articles:

January 17, 2026

Garth Zimmermann: coming out at 50

After coming out, Garth found a life partner, took a stand for LGBTQ students, and reached his full potential personally and professionally.

January 16, 2026

In memoriam: Cheri Becker (1958-2026)

Cheri Becker moved to Madison to be closer to her mother. She wound up becoming the matriarch of an LGBTQ movement.

January 10, 2026

Kate Krause: moving Sheboygan forward, one day at a time

For over 20 years, Paradigm Coffee & Music has been a beacon of safety, acceptance and hope, proving that fostering authentic community is the strongest response to bigotry.

December 17, 2025

In memoriam: Francis "Frank" Ford (1945-2025)

Throughout his colorful life, counterculture connections, and uniquely creative lens, Ford trained his watchful eye on modern Milwaukee.

December 17, 2025

In memoriam: Jim Melotte (1949-2025)

We honor a devoted leader who transformed a small neighborhood parade into one of Wisconsin’s largest, most vibrant celebrations of pride.

December 16, 2025

Pat Cummings: forging a relentless path to progress

Driven by bigger-than-life dreams, Pat Cummings became a relentless activist and accidental historian who blazed a trail from Milwaukee's gayborhood to the front lines of Chicago's AIDS crisis.

December 01, 2025

Unforgettable: Karyn Teufel

Karyn Teufel rose above the noise of fear, ignorance, and stigma to become one of the loudest voices of ACT UP Milwaukee

December 01, 2025

Unforgettable: Tommy Zalewski

Tommy's journey, from small-town Wisconsin to Castro Street, was powered by his family's unconditional love.

December 01, 2025

Unforgettable: Sue Dietz & the Milwaukee AIDS Project

Before testing, treatment, or hope, there was only panic, paranoia and death. But there was also Sue Dietz, a guardian angel fighting on the frontlines of the AIDS Crisis in Milwaukee.

December 01, 2025

Unforgettable: Wayne Benning aka Vanessa Alexandre

Unbound by anything or anyone, Wayne was a whirlwind of wit and wonder who skyrocketed to fame during Milwaukee's golden age of drag.

December 01, 2025

Unforgettable: Jason Doemel

Jason defied childhood harassment, a violent hate crime, and HIV/AIDS to live a creative, resilient, and authentic life.

November 28, 2025

Dan Terrio: walking a tightrope between two worlds

After navigating a lifelong divide between his Native and white worlds, Dan embraced his Two Spirit heritage as a sacred ancestral gift.

November 28, 2025

Shawn Wandahsega: causing a commotion with confrontational drag

Thirty-five years ago, he left the brutal bullies of his hometown behind to conquer Wisconsin stages as drag legend Shawna Love.

November 26, 2025

Patrick Firgens: surviving and thriving in his ninth life

After overcoming incredible challenges, Patrick has found balance, harmony, and purpose as a Menominee Two Spirit healer and guide.

November 24, 2025

Debbie McCarty: creating a sanctuary in the shadows

Defying the homophobic hostility of her hometown, she created a legacy of courage that long outlasted her critics.

November 23, 2025

Chasity Jesko: finding her wings in the world

Since embracing her Two Spirit truth, Chasity has soared higher and farther than she ever imagined possible.

November 18, 2025

Vicky Hasko: carving out Wausau’s first space for queer celebration

Only four years after Stonewall, she created a regional destination, meaningful community memories, and a historic landmark for northern Wisconsin.

November 17, 2025

Michael Waupoose: accepting sacred responsibilities in a divided world

Michael shares his story of navigating Native oppression, reclaiming his cultural and sexual identities, and championing positive change for the tribal and Two-Spirit communities.

November 15, 2025

Jim La Rock: caretaker, catalyst, and Menominee Historian

As a respected Two Spirit elder, mentor, and survivor, Jim is living proof of the connective power of heritage and culture.

November 09, 2025

In Memoriam: "Papa Joe" Mallien (1935-2025)

This weekend, Wisconsin said goodbye to an original Silver Star. For over 50 years, "Papa Joe" Mallien (1935-2025) was an icon of Midwest motorcycle clubs, Wisconsin's leather community, and Green Bay nightlife.

October 17, 2025

John Erickson: changing the world with powerful purpose

Powered by a passion for community service, John's journey has taken him from the streets of small town Wisconsin to serving as Mayor of West Hollywood.

October 13, 2025

Champagne: still high-kicking after 60 years in drag

Champagne Beige, Wisconsin's oldest drag performer, reflects on a sensational six-decade career that propelled her from La Crosse to Las Vegas.

October 03, 2025

Jim Rivett: Green Bay's guardian of social good

Dedicated to community service, social justice, and personal responsibility, Jim transformed his hometown with a legacy of giving back.

October 01, 2025

Lecia Sams: from "Cherry Bomb" to chosen family

Soaring above the challenges of her youth with resilience and strength, Lecia became a champion for her community.

October 01, 2025

Paul "Cricket" Jacob: from the farm to the front lines of the fight

He knew he was gay. He thought he didn't want to be. After a supportive caregiver cured his doubts, Cricket became an unstoppable force for change.

October 01, 2025

Kathy Flores: from preacher's daughter to passionate changemaker

For decades, Kathy has been a voice for the voiceless, including abuse survivors, migrants, and the trans community.

October 01, 2025

Mike Fitzpatrick: five decades of shaping Wisconsin's future

Since the 1980s, Mike's relentless activism has connected us on the dancefloor, in the media, and in the streets.

September 30, 2025

Heather Gautsch: from "Don't Ask Don't Tell" to outspoken activist

Meet Heather Gautsch, a Wisconsin artist, veteran, and force for change in the community.

September 29, 2025

Kevin Perdue: born and raised by queer revolution

Meet Kevin Perdue, who shares how an activist upbringing helped him embrace his bisexual, demisexual, and leather identities.

September 22, 2025

Lilli Petsch-Horvath: finding herself, finding her people

Meet Lilli Petsch-Horvath, who shares how her self-acceptance journey spanned not only decades, but continents.

September 18, 2025

Zach Noland: setting the record not-so-straight

Meet Zach Noland, who explodes myths and misconceptions about the "right" way to be bisexual.

September 15, 2025

Johanna Kaye: unlocking a life without limits

Meet Johanna Kaye, who shares how she moved from isolation to inclusion through self-acceptance.

September 11, 2025

Ken Kinlow: bring your whole self to the table

We're honoring bisexual visibility throughout September and beyond! Meet Ken Kinlow, who shares his journey as a bisexual Black man, husband, and father.

September 08, 2025

Lexy Lunger: self-acceptance is a superpower

We're honoring bisexual visibility throughout September and beyond! Meet Lexy Lunger, who shares how she overcame bisexual stigmas and stereotypes to become her very best self.

September 01, 2025

Evan Kind: leading bisexual acceptance, alliance, and activism

We're honoring bisexual visibility throughout September and beyond! Meet Evan Kind, who shares his journey of self-acceptance, enlightenment, and activation as a community leader.